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StephN · 01-11-2006, 12:40 PM

Hi ladies -
It always pains me a little extra to see you young mothers with little ones have to go through this.

Navelbine worked for me against some raging liver mets 4 years ago. I took it along with Taxol and Herceptin and the effect was 100% and I have been on Herceptin alone since NED. Was not able to get the Herceptin until I metted which was only 6 months after the end of adjuvent. You may be in a category where your cancer was "out of the bag" and the Herceptin only slowed it down. Or one where the Herceptin is not as effective as we DO know that it is not a cure for everyone.
Your cancer cells may use slightly different pathways than what Herceptin alone can shut down.
Taking 3 minutes to get a basic understanding of how the different drugs work can go a long way to easing your mind.
Navelbine is in a class of drugs called called Antimitotic, which means that it will interrupt the cell proliferation while it is trying to divide. It does not allow the "mitosis" to complete and the cells dies.
Herceptin tries to shut down the cancer cells by clamping onto the protein receptors that would stimulate cell division. When you have two drugs going after the cancer cells each in a different way you have a better chance to kill the tumors and to get the stray cells that could start tumors.

Hair loss - Navelbine without a taxane on a weekly basis should allow you to keep most of your hair. And the side effects are not too severe. I was never nauseaus and was able to cut down on the premeds. Your white and red blood counts may need support with Neulasta or Epo.
All best wishes - keep us posted, OK?

01-11-2006, 12:40 PM	#5
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Navelbine is a good drug Hi ladies - It always pains me a little extra to see you young mothers with little ones have to go through this. Navelbine worked for me against some raging liver mets 4 years ago. I took it along with Taxol and Herceptin and the effect was 100% and I have been on Herceptin alone since NED. Was not able to get the Herceptin until I metted which was only 6 months after the end of adjuvent. You may be in a category where your cancer was "out of the bag" and the Herceptin only slowed it down. Or one where the Herceptin is not as effective as we DO know that it is not a cure for everyone. Your cancer cells may use slightly different pathways than what Herceptin alone can shut down. Taking 3 minutes to get a basic understanding of how the different drugs work can go a long way to easing your mind. Navelbine is in a class of drugs called called Antimitotic, which means that it will interrupt the cell proliferation while it is trying to divide. It does not allow the "mitosis" to complete and the cells dies. Herceptin tries to shut down the cancer cells by clamping onto the protein receptors that would stimulate cell division. When you have two drugs going after the cancer cells each in a different way you have a better chance to kill the tumors and to get the stray cells that could start tumors. Hair loss - Navelbine without a taxane on a weekly basis should allow you to keep most of your hair. And the side effects are not too severe. I was never nauseaus and was able to cut down on the premeds. Your white and red blood counts may need support with Neulasta or Epo. All best wishes - keep us posted, OK?